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Letter from the President
In our hectic lives, there are often too few opportunities to
step back and consider those things that are important in life and to gain
perspective on the good work that we are doing. With the school year over,
I’ve had the chance to reflect on the very important work that we’re doing
together at the Friendship School in the village of Momostenango, Guatemala.
Frankly, I’m amazed by this year’s success- take a look at these numbers:
- Our school is now in its 6th year of operation.
- We celebrated our 3rd junior high graduation this
year.
- We now offer first, second, and third grades at the
elementary level (primaria) as well as grades 7-9 (basico) with 2
full-time and 4 part-time teachers.
- Instituto K’amawanik’ (the Friendship School) now has
60 students. 60!
- We raised over $13,000 during our annual Friendship
Week at Emily Dickinson/Explorer Elementary. WOW!
Considering the year’s
success, I feel a deep sense of both pride and humility. Pride for the huge
difference that our community of students, families, school staff, and
dedicated volunteers have been able to accomplish. Humility for knowing the
huge impact we’re making on the lives of our 60 students, their families, and
the countless people that they will be able to affect with this gift of
education. Remember too that not a single one of our students would have the
chance to attend school without our support.
I also understand, as do many of you, that this project is not just a gift to
our students in Guatemala- it is a gift to our children as well. The
ownership they feel in this school, the empowerment they feel, the empathy
for others, the greater worldview- these are some of the gifts our children
have received in return.
As you enjoy these last weeks of summer, take a moment to think about the
difference we’re making in this small corner of the world and the difference
the gift of education will make in the lives of our 60 Guatemalan students.
And consider passing on this wonderful news to someone else- it just might be
the gift they’re looking for!
Thank you, gracias,
and maltiox,
Doug Johnson, President and Founder
The Guatemala Friendship School Foundation
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Spring Friendship Week: A Great Success!
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 Dear
Supporters,
We had a GREAT success last March for our annual GFSF Friendship Week at
Emily Dickinson/Explorer Elementary in Redmond, WA. Each year that goes by,
more and more people turn out to help support this wonderful event.
This was our most successful year yet. Between the coin and dollar drive,
sale of Friendship bracelets and Friendship Grams, Dinner Out, and our annual
Friendship Fiesta Dance and Silent Auction, we raised over $13,000 to keep
our school in Guatemala running. Everyone who was involved in making this
event successful worked very hard and should be very proud of their efforts
to help the children in Guatemala.
Mr. J, Mr. Howard, and Mr. Jones did a great job as the DJs for the dance;
they kept the kids (and staff!) moving all night long and all had a wonderful
time. While the children danced, the parents shopped at the auction and were
able to bid on some beautiful and unique items that came from Guatemala.
There were table linens, jewelry, exotic masks, baskets of goodies, gift
certificates, musical instruments; well, you get the idea! This year we had a
"Kid’s Market" area just for kids where they were able to buy some
really fun things for themselves.
Our Guatemala Friendship School is a success because of each and every person
who attends the Dance/Auction and supports the events throughout the week,
those who donate their time to work on this event, and to all the students at
Dickinson/Explorer who have the opportunity to learn about how to make a
difference in other children’s lives. In addition, the teacher team at
Dickinson/Explorer pulled together to make the week a success. Of course,
none of this would be possible without the continued support of principals
Ellen Challenger and Paul Spoor and the entire staff of Dickinson/Explorer.
Our thanks to all of you!
Thank you to everyone who helps to support this awesome school; we look forward
to a bigger and better Friendship Week next year!
Kellie Lawton, Board Member
The Guatemala
Friendship School Foundation
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Mr. Howard and Mr. J Climb Rainier for GFSF
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 Each
year the teachers do something crazy to celebrate the success of Friendship
Week. They’ve dyed their hair, camped on the school, and even sumo wrestled!
But this year, it was the Rainier Challenge.
The team consisted of Mr. Howard, Mr. Johnson, and Greg Johnson
and they used the long and challenging Emmons/Winthrop route. The climbers
gave it their best, climbing to over 13,700 feet- just 700 feet from the
summit of Mount Rainier- before being turned around by 50 mph wind gusts and
altitude sickness.
The team finished the climb safely, and the experience was a
total blast. Best of all, they knew they’d given their very best to say
thanks to the students of Dickinson/Explorer for another successful year!
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Senior Project Golf Tournament Fundraiser
Exceeds Goal!
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 As a
senior at Eastlake High School, I had the opportunity to organize a
fundraiser for the Guatemala Friendship School as part of my senior project.
I decided to combine two passions of mine which happen to be golf and the
Friendship School.
I contacted the local golf course which was Willows Run Golf Course and they
were more than happy to help me with this project. We came up with a plan to have
a miniature golf tournament at their miniature golf course, complete with
food and a raffle. We set the date for the fundraiser on May 6th, so I had a
lot of work ahead of me to promote the event and also get items donated for
the raffle. I advertised around Dickinson/Explorer, Eastlake High, and to
family and friends who were extremely supportive. I had a hard time
committing people for the event, but it all turned out fine. I ended up
having 53 people attend the event, more than $500 worth of items donated for
the raffle, and over $1,000 in general donations for the Foundation.
The overall fundraiser was very successful, netting over $1,700 which was
almost double my goal of $1,000. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves during
this event and they all gave me very good feedback.
I am now planning to make this fundraiser an annual event when I come back
from college during the summer.
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